West Shore Community College
#2 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 29% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,115 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $1,527 A+
- 91% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 782
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 122.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $122.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $122.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $744,121.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 29% — 49% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $122.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why West Shore Community College Matters
West Shore Community College is a public community college in Scottville, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 782
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice
Why students choose West Shore Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $1,527 a year after grants and scholarships — 91% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,115 ten years after enrolling — 11% below the typical college, against $9,089 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 30% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.05 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just 782 students, West Shore Community College in Scottville, MI, caters to those looking for a close-knit learning environment. This school is a good fit for individuals interested in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production, and Computer Science & IT. Students here benefit from smaller class sizes, which can lead to more personalized attention from instructors and a supportive community atmosphere.
When thinking about life after graduation, it’s encouraging to note that the average earnings a decade later are around $36,115. This figure can be particularly relevant for students weighing their options—especially when considering how affordable the college is. With a net price of just $1,527 after aid, it’s clear that West Shore is accessible for many. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that some students may carry a median debt of $9,089, which can influence their financial decisions post-graduation.
The practical aspects of attending West Shore Community College also speak volumes about who thrives here. Students who seek a manageable cost of living and a supportive educational environment often find success. With 30% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college is clearly a viable option for those who need financial assistance. Overall, this institution is well-suited for individuals who value a focused and affordable path toward developing their careers in various fields.
Rankings
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan
- #7 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Michigan
- #7 Most Affordable Online Public Universities
- #8 Most Affordable Online Colleges
- #16 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #16 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective West Shore Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Shore Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Scottville, Michigan, West Shore Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,473
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Shore Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Shore Community College is $8,820, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $1,527. For the lowest-income families, those earning under $30,000, need-based grants can fully cover tuition, leaving little or nothing to pay out of pocket. The median graduate leaves with about $9,089 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,470
- Out-of-State
- $8,820
- Avg Net Price
- $1,527
- Median Debt
- $9,089
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 4%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $-42
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $822
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $2,665
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at West Shore Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is West Shore Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Shore Community College report median earnings of $36,115, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,841
- 8 Years
- $34,684
- 10 Years
- $36,115
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 40%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (16)
- 14%
- 100% (16)
- 14%
- 100% (16)
- 14%
- 100% (16)
- 14%
How West Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is West Shore Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, West Shore Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $1,527/year ($6,108 total). Graduates earn $36,115 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $750,229 in total earnings — a net gain of $744,121 (122.8× your investment). The median debt is $9,089, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 29% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $6,108
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $750,229
- Net Return
- $744,121
- ROI Multiple
- 122.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $1,527
- Median Debt
- $9,089
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does West Shore Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Shore Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.96%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $58,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.96%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 18.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $80,024
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $163,086
- Federal Grants
- $115,848
- Investment Income
- $74,082
Top Programs
The fields West Shore Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 38% $61,913 early-career
- Humanities 37%
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Precision Production 4% $48,104 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 1%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for West Shore Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Shore Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Scottville, Michigan, West Shore Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Shore Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Shore Community College is $8,820, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $1,527. For the lowest-income families, those earning under $30,000, need-based grants can fully cover tuition, leaving little or nothing to pay out of pocket. The median graduate leaves with about $9,089 in federal student loans.
Is West Shore Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Shore Community College report median earnings of $36,115, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does West Shore Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Shore Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.96%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $58,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is West Shore Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at West Shore Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.05, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to West Shore Community College.
- Kirtland Community CollegeGrayling, MI · Close peer30% grad $35,831 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · same state
- Labette Community CollegeParsons, KS · Close peer26% grad $37,818 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Sullivan County Community CollegeLoch Sheldrake, NY · Close peer28% grad $38,354 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Paul D Camp Community CollegeFranklin, VA · Close peer30% grad $36,031 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Chattahoochee Valley Community CollegePhenix City, AL · Close peer36% grad $36,438 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Southern State Community CollegeHillsboro, OH · Close peer31% grad $35,463 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is West Shore Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at West Shore Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.05, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note